Library services

The challenge
The library service needed to consider how to accelerate its approach of delivering services in partnership with other providers in order to maintain, and wherever possible enhance, services whilst at the same time achieving the required savings of £1.7m over a three-year period. Read more

When its rural branch libraries faced a major spending cut Wiltshire Council decided to take radical action, by seeking to find and train-up a large cohort of community volunteers. Even it has been surprised by the positive extent of the outcome. Read more

A branch library belonging to Shropshire Council has now been co-located with a social enterprise, bringing multiple benefits to both parties. As well as sharing a building, they make shared use of staff, which allows them to offer longer library opening hours. Read more

East Riding of Yorkshire Libraries has designed and introduced mobiles which provide the same range and quality of services as that found in its branch libraries. This conscious effort to level-up the service offer in rural areas with that delivered in urban centres includes full broadband internet connectivity. Read more

Cornwall Council was concerned about the library service provided locally to some of its rural communities. What it sought was a solution that was both cost-effective and offered a quality service for users. Using existing facilities within village schools has provided one answer. Read more